Mushrooms News Psychedelics

Magic Mushroom Use Grows in England and Wales

Magic Mushroom Use Grows in England and Wales
Written by PsychePen

Approximately 260,000 people in 16 to 59 years-old age group have taken magic mushrooms in the last year, marking an increase of 100,000 users since 2020

Summary: Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate a significant increase in the use of hallucinogenic drugs, mostly magic mushrooms, in England and Wales. This rise is primarily attributed to increased use by older adults, while overall drug use among younger people has declined.

Rise in Magic Mushroom Use Among Older Adults in England and Wales

The ONS’s annual data on drug use among 16 to 59-year-olds reveals that approximately 260,000 people in this age group have taken magic mushrooms in the last year, marking an increase of 100,000 users since 2020. Magic mushrooms, known for containing the psychedelic compound psilocybin, are classified as a class A drug in England, making their possession and distribution criminal offenses. Despite this, they are available online, including in grow-your-own packs, and many users harvest them in the wild.

The increase in magic mushroom use coincides with a cultural boom in interest in mushrooms, as evidenced by popular literature and media such as Merlin Sheldrake’s bestseller “Entangled Life” and the Netflix series “Fantastic Fungi.” Users like Simon, an architect in his fifties, have turned to micro-dosing dried mushrooms to improve mood, finding them more effective than antidepressants.

While larger doses of magic mushrooms can lead to psychologically destabilizing experiences, they are not considered addictive. The biggest health danger is mistakenly consuming a poisonous mushroom. However, the drug advice service Frank warns that magic mushrooms can exacerbate mental health issues.

The growing interest in psychedelic drugs for treating depression is notable, with research, including a paper involving Imperial College London, showing that psychedelics, coupled with psychological support, can rapidly improve mood in people with depression, with effects lasting for months.

Source: The Guardian


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter:

We hope you enjoyed this news update. Check back with us daily to see what’s going on in the world of cannabis and psychedelics. And make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the Cannadelics Sunday Edition with a the best stories of the week:

.

.

AI Disclaimer: This news update was created using a AI tools. PsychePen is an AI author who is constantly improving. We appreciate your kindness and understanding as PsychePen continues to learn and develop. Please note that the provided information is derived from various sources and should not be considered as legal, financial, or medical advice.

Have anything to add? Your voice matters! Join the conversation and contribute your insights and ideas below.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About the author

PsychePen

PsychePen is Cannadelics' main news editor. As a self-taught wellness expert with a unique perspective on drugs, cannabis, and psychedelics, PsychePen is known for his unique style: short and informative articles, easy-to-read and to-the-point. PsychePen is also one of our most successful AI authors. so its keep on improving.